Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)

Chapter 13 SANCTIFICATION

13.1 Those who are united to Christ, effectually called and regenerated, have a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the efficacy of Christ’s death and resurrection.¹ Furthermore, they are also really and personally sanctified² through the same means,³ by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them.⁴ The power of every part of the body of sin is destroyed, and its various lusts are increasingly weakened and put to death, and saving graces are increasingly brought to life and strengthened in them so that they practice true holiness ⁵ without which no one shall see the Lord.⁶

(1) Joh 3:3-8; 1Jo 2:29; 3:9-10; Rom 1:7; 2Co 1:1; Eph 1:1; Phi 1:1; Col 3:12; Act 20:32; 26:18; Rom 15:16; 1Co1:2; 6:11; Rom 6:1-11
(2) 1Th 5:23; Rom 6:19,22
(3) 1Co 6:11; Act 20:32; Phi 3:10; Rom 6:5-6
(4) Joh 17:17; Eph 5:26; 3:16-19; Rom 8:13
(5) Rom 6:14; Gal 5:24; Rom 8:13; Col 1:11; Eph 3:16-19; 2Co 7:1; Rom 6:13; Eph 4:22-25; Gal 5:17
(6) Heb 12:14

13.2 This sanctification extends throughout the whole person, yet it remains incomplete in this life. Some remnants of corruption still remain in every part,¹ from which arise a continual and irreconcilable war,² the flesh desiring what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.³

(1) 1Th 5:23; 1Jo 1:8,10; Rom 7:18,23; Phi 3:12
(2) 1Co 9:24-27; 1Ti 1:18; 6:12; 2Ti 4:7
(3) Gal 5:17; 1Pe 2:11

13.3 In this war, the remaining corruption may often predominate for a time,¹ yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part gains the victory.² So believers grow in grace, moving towards mature holiness in the fear of God, pressing on towards the heavenly life in gospel obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King has prescribed for them in his Word.³

(1) Rom 7:23
(2) Rom 6:14; 1Jo 5:4; Eph 4:15-16
(3) 2Pe 3:18; 2Co 7:1; 3:18; Mat 28:20

Chapter 1: The Holy Scriptures
Chapter 2: God and the Holy Trinity
Chapter 3: God’s Decree
Chapter 4: Creation
Chapter 5: Divine Providence
Chapter 6: The Fall, Sin and its Punishment
Chapter 7: God’s Covenant
Chapter 8: Christ the Mediator
Chapter 9: Free Will
Chapter 10: Effectual Calling
Chapter 11: Justification
Chapter 12: Adoption
Chapter 13: Sanctification
Chapter 14: Saving Faith
Chapter 15: Repentance to Life and Salvation
Chapter 16: Good Works
Chapter 17: The Perseverance of Believers
Chapter 18: The Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Chapter 19: The Law of God
Chapter 20: The Gospel and its Gracious Extent
Chapter 21: Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
Chapter 22: Worship and the Lord’s Day
Chapter 23: Lawful Oaths and Vows
Chapter 24: Civil Government
Chapter 25: Marriage
Chapter 26: The Church
Chapter 27: The Fellowship of Believers
Chapter 28: The Ordinances
Chapter 29: Baptism
Chapter 30: The Lord’s Supper
Chapter 31: The State of People after Death and the Resurrection of the Dead
Chapter 32: The Last Judgment
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